Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records to carry out financial transactions. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards that corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a display, at least one manual input device and a cash dispenser. The machine further includes at least one computer processor that operates to cause financial transactions to be carried out on accounts corresponding to the data read from cards. The automated banking machine computer processor is operative to also cause digital information to be delivered from the machine or sent to remote system addresses.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/776,503 filed Feb. 2, 2001. Ser. No. 09/776,503 claimsbenefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Application Ser.Nos. 60/180,490 filed Feb. 5, 2000 and 60/250,269 filed Nov. 30, 2000.The disclosures of each of these applications is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to automated banking machines that operateresponsive to data read from data bearing records such as user cards andwhich may be classified in U.S. Class 235, Subclass 379.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines may include a card reader that operates toread data from a bearer record such as a user card. The automatedbanking machine may operate to cause the data read from the card to becompared with other computer stored data related to the bearer. Themachine operates in response to the comparison determining that thebearer is an authorized system user to carry out at least onetransaction which is operative to transfer value to or from at least oneaccount. A record of the transaction is also commonly printed throughoperation of the automated banking machine and provided to the user. Acommon type of automated banking machine used by consumers is anautomated teller machine which enables customers to carry out bankingtransactions. Banking transactions carried out may include thedispensing of cash, the making of deposits, the transfer of fundsbetween accounts and account balance inquiries. The types of bankingtransactions a customer can carry out are determined by the capabilitiesof the particular banking machine and the programming of the institutionoperating the machine.

Other types of automated banking machines may be operated by merchantsto carry out commercial transactions. These transactions may include,for example, the acceptance of deposit bags, the receipt of checks orother financial instruments, the dispensing of rolled coin or othertransactions required by merchants. Still other types of automatedbanking machines may be used by service providers in a transactionenvironment such as at a bank to carry out financial transactions. Suchtransactions may include for example, the counting and storage ofcurrency notes or other financial instrument sheets, the dispensing ofnotes or other sheets, the imaging of checks or other financialinstruments, and other types of service provider transactions. Forpurposes of this disclosure an automated banking machine or an ATM shallbe deemed to include any machine that may be used to electronicallycarry out transactions involving transfers of value.

Automated banking machines may benefit from improvements.

OBJECTS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide an automatedbanking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records.

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide an automatedbanking machine that is operative to dispense digital information.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to dispense digitalinformation to a portable storage medium or device.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to dispense digitalinformation to a portable computing system.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to dispense digitalinformation in exchange for a user fee.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to output digitalinformation to an output device in exchange for a user fee.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to distribute user feeincome generated from the dispense of digital information among aplurality of entities.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to download digitalinformation from a digital information source located on a network.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to play digital content.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to dispense digitalinformation onto a portable storage medium.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to provide digitalinformation to a remote system address responsive to a banking or othertransaction at the machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that is operative to offer a selection ofdigital content that are downloaded from a public network such as theInternet or a private network.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments will be made apparent in thefollowing Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments and the appendedclaims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in one exemplary embodiment by anautomated banking machine that comprises an ATM that is operative todispense digital information which is also referred to herein as digitalcontent. In some exemplary embodiments the digital information includesdigital sound recording files that may be output through an outputdevice such as a sound system in operative connection with the ATM.However in alternative embodiments, the digital information may includeother types of information that may be digitally stored and transportedover a network. Other examples of digital information include digitalrepresentations of images, books, software, audiovisual works, movies,TV shows, magazines, newspapers, games, text, graphics, compilations,and databases.

The ATM is in operative connection with storage read/write devices suchas a floppy disk drive, CD drive, DVD drive, smart card drive, flashmemory drive, or any other device that is operative to read and writeinformation to a portable storage medium. In the exemplary embodimentthe ATM is operative to save digital information such as digital soundrecording files to the portable medium.

Alternative embodiments of the ATM may include a portable computingdevice communication interface device which is alternatively referred toas a port that is operative to communicate with a portable computingdevice. When a portable computing device, such as a laptop computer,hand-held computer, cell phone, or sound file player is placed inoperative connection with the communication port, the ATM is operativeto send digital information such as digital sound recording files to theportable computing device. Examples of communication ports that areoperative for use with some embodiments include a Universal Serial Bus(USB) port, parallel port, RS-232 Serial Port, Infrared (IR) Port, RadioFrequency (RF) port, or any other type of physical or wirelesscommunication port.

The exemplary ATM is operatively programmed to accept a fee from a userin exchange for outputting either digital information or saving digitalinformation to a portable storage medium or portable computing device.For ATMs that include a card reader and are in operative connection witha host banking system, the ATM may be operative to charge the fee to anaccount associated with a credit card, debit card, or smart card forexample. For ATMs that include a currency accepting device, the ATM maybe operative to accept currency in exchange for outputting or savingdigital information.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ATM is in operative connection with aprivate network or public network such as the Internet. The ATM isprogrammed to enable a user of the ATM to view and select digitalinformation that is downloaded across the network. For example the ATMis operative to display visual outputs corresponding to a plurality ofsound recording files such as MP3 files, that can be executed toreproduce individual musical performances such as songs. The ATM isfurther operative to download one or more of these sound files inexchange for a fee and to either play the song through a sound system orsend the song to a portable storage medium or computing device.

In an alternative form, the ATM may be operative to periodicallydownload a selection of digital information in response to programmedinstructions to acquire one or more categories of digital information.By pre-downloading and storing digital information, the ATM does notneed to be continually connected to a source of digital information.Also any delay caused by having to download individually selectedinformation files across a network is eliminated because the files arestored locally in the ATM.

For example when the digital information corresponds to sound recordingfiles, the ATM may be operative to periodically download sound filesthat correspond to the most popular songs for the week or other timeperiod. In another example if the digital information corresponds todigital books, the ATM may be operative to periodically download digitalbooks that correspond to a fiction or nonfiction best seller list orranking. In another example if the digital information corresponds tobroadcast TV shows, the ATM may be operative to periodically downloaddigital files that correspond to the TV shows that were broadcast over acertain time period. Other examples of digital information may includemovies, financial analysis, conventional materials, discount coupons,promotional offers or other content. Of course in other embodimentsother types of digital information may be delivered and stored in themachine for delivery to users, or downloaded at the time in response tothe user's request.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ATM may be operative to distribute theuser fees for the dispense of digital information among a plurality ofentities, including the owner of the ATM, the source of the digitalinformation, and/or a licensing organization. This distribution may beperformed for each user transaction or may be performed on a periodicbasis. When the distribution is performed periodically, the ATM may beoperative to calculate an amount of value that corresponds to licensingfees for digital information that is downloaded or dispensed by the ATMduring a time period. An amount of value equal to this calculated amountmay then be transferred from an account associated with the ATM such asthe operator thereof to the source(s) of the digital information and/orto licensing organizations.

When the digital information requires copy protection features, the ATMmay be further operative to include or activate a copy protectionfeature responsive to the type of license being purchased by the user.For example, if the ATM dispenses SDMI or Windows Media sound recordingfiles, movies or other digital content, the ATM may be operative toconfigure the files to limit where and how long, or the number of timesfiles can be played as well as whether duplication of transfer of thefiles or portions thereof, is allowed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view representative of an exemplary embodiment ofan automated banking machine and system that is operative to dispensedigital information.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view representative of an exemplary embodiment ofan automated banking machine and system that is operative to dispensedigital sound recordings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view representative of the distribution oftransaction fees from digital information dispensed by an automatedbanking machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. A common type ofautomated banking machine is an automated teller machine (ATM). ATMs aretypically operative to perform banking transactions such as dispensingcash, transferring value between banking accounts, or acceptingdeposits. Many times ATMs are located in retail or service facilitiessuch as stores, gas stations, restaurants, casinos and bars. The ownersof these facilities often generate income from the ATMs through servicefees on transactions performed with the ATM. For example if a userwithdraws an amount of cash from the ATM, the user may be charged asmall transaction fee.

Methods for the digital recording of sound are also known. Such digitalrecordings are typically distributed on compact disks (CD) for playbackon a CD player. As sound systems have become a standard feature of anynew personal computers, digital sound recordings are also beingdistributed as computer files. Common formats for sound computer filesinclude WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) and MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3).To play such files, computer systems can employ a sound file playerapplication such as the Windows Media Player. Sound file playerapplications read the digital sound files and output corresponding musicthrough the sound card and speakers of the computer system.

Digital sound recordings may also be copied directly from an audio CDthrough a process called “ripping.” Essentially ripping refers to thereading of the digital information that represents audio on the CD andsaving the information in a computer readable sound file. Differentformats of sound files have different characteristics. For example WAVfiles are typically uncompressed digital versions of sampled sound. MP3files are typically created by compressing a sound sequence into a verysmall file (about one-twelfth the size of a corresponding WAV file).However, MP3 files are “lossy” meaning that the compression algorithmsremove digital information that most people cannot hear or cannotdistinguish from other sounds. If a high sampling rate is used togenerate the MP3 files, the sound quality is only slightly inferior tothat of the original audio file. However, the advantage of the smallersize of the MP3 files is significant. These advantages include theability to store more hours of sound recordings per amount of space inphysical storage mediums such as, for example, hard disks, RAM, andflash memory cards. Also, the smaller size of MP3 files enables them tobe downloaded much faster through a network such as the Internet.

Numerous web sites on the Internet offer digital sound files such as MP3files for downloading to a personal computer. Also as a result of thepopularity of digital sound files, portable computer systems have beendeveloped such as the Apple iPod™, Microsoft Zune™ and the Diamond RIOwhich are specifically designed to load and play sound recording files.Cell phones are also capable of downloading and playing music files andother forms of digital content.

Unfortunately, the technology associated with creating MP3 files from aCD and downloading MP3 files from web sites has resulted in asignificant amount of music piracy and lost revenues for artists andmusic recording companies. Anyone with a home PC can generate anunlimited number of copies of digital sound files. By placing suchpirated files on an Internet web site, unlimited distribution of piratedsound files is possible.

To deter copyright infringement and unrestricted piracy of digital soundrecordings, the music industry has promoted digital rights managementinitiatives. One such initiative was an alternative file format forstoring digital recordings called SDMI (Secure Digital MusicInitiative). The SDMI specification for sound files offers similarcompression characteristics as the MP3 file format; however, SDMI isdesigned to have built in copyright protection features which limit theplayback and duplication of the files. In addition Microsoft hasdeveloped an alternative specification for compressing and copyrightprotecting sound files called Windows Media. Other digital rightsmanagement approaches have also been developed to limit use of digitalcontent.

However, the popularity of MP3 files coupled with unlimited sound filepiracy may significantly decrease the revenue that recording labels andartists generate from the sale of music and other forms of audio.

Distribution of sound recordings from the Internet makes it much easierfor an individual artist to reach a mass audience for their work withouta recording label. As a result the variety of music that is availableover the Internet is exploding. Many of the titles can be downloadedwithout a fee. Unfortunately much of the music that has no fee is lowquality, amateurish, and not very desirable. If the artist is relativelyunknown, it is very difficult to get users to download music for a fee.This is because most individuals are hesitant to pay for downloadedmusic or other content files before being familiar with the artist.

If the music is given away on a no-fee basis or even a low-fee previewbasis, it may be difficult to generate any income from the music. Oncethe MP3 or other digital version of the music is downloaded, the filecan be played, copied, and distributed an unlimited number of timeswithout generating income for the artist.

To take advantage of the benefits of playing sound recording filesrather than CDs or cassettes, a user must have a PC. Although the costof a personal computer has dramatically decreased over the last twodecades, computers are still significantly more expensive than a CDplayer. Portable sound file players such as the iPod, Zune and DiamondRIO are operative to play music independently from a PC; however, theystill must be connected to a PC at some point to upload a new set offiles. Cell phones which can connect to the Internet may reduce theinconveniences associated with dedicated player devices. However, cellphone devices with numerous functions can prove difficult to operate andcan be more expensive to purchase and use. The methods for delivery ofdigital content such as audio, visual, print and other media as well asuser specific graphics, text or other content may also have drawbacks.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein a schematic view of an automated banking machine 10 of anexemplary embodiment which comprises an ATM 10. The ATM 10 includes atleast one computer processor 12 that is operatively programmed to enablethe ATM to perform at least one financial transaction such as thedispense of cash. It should be understood that embodiments may includemultiple processors and that even though reference may be made to asingle processor, multiple processor arrangements, and/or arrangementsincluding multiple data stores in operative connection with suchprocessors, are encompassed by the description of a processor. Theexemplary computer processor 12 is also operatively programmed to enablethe ATM to dispense digital content which is alternatively referred toherein as digital information. To perform these functions the ATMfurther includes in operative connection with the computer processor 12,at least one data store 13, a display device 14, at least one inputdevice 16, at least one output device 18, a card reader 20 which alsoserves as an input device, and a cash dispenser 24. The exemplary cardreader may include a card reader that reads indicia corresponding to auser and/or a financial account encoded on a magnetic stripe. Otherembodiments may include readers that read data encoded on memory devicesthat is communicated via RF or other contactless communication. The ATM10 is further operative to communicate with at least one financialtransaction processing computer which is operative to carry outfinancial transfers which in this example is host banking system 30.Alternatively the computer for accomplishing financial transfers mayinclude a credit card transaction processing computer. ATM 10 also isenabled to communicate with at least one digital information source 32.In the exemplary embodiment the ATM 10 is operative to download digitalinformation from the digital information source 32 through a network 34.Network 34 may be one or more private networks or may include publicnetworks such as the Internet.

It should be understood that the ATM 10 and system are exemplary and inother embodiments automated transaction machines may include other oradditional devices and may operate in other types of systems. Forexample, embodiments may include in operative connection with thecomputer processor 12, a currency acceptor 22, a data store including astorage device drive 26, and a communication port 28 which serves as anoutput device. The storage device drive 26 serves as a local data storeand enables the computer processor to dispense digital information to aportable storage medium 36. The communication port 28 enables thecomputer processor to cause the dispense of digital information to aportable computing device 38. Of course other exemplary embodiments maynot include some of such devices, and/or may include other or additionaldevices.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of the ATM 10 that isoperative to dispense both cash and digital content comprising soundrecordings such as music and songs. However, it is to be understood thatexemplary embodiments also encompass the dispensing of other types ofdigital information including digital representations of images, books,software, audiovisual works, movies, TV shows, magazines, newspapers,games, compilations, instructional materials, data files, educationalcontent, databases, account statements, loan applications, investmentadvice, company annual reports, discount coupons, promotional offers,passwords, digital signatures, gaming tickets, and other types ofdigital content that may be delivered in a digital format.

Exemplary ATM 10 includes a display device 14 such as a CRT monitor orLCD display. The display device is operative responsive to the processorto output user interface indicia 46. The user interface indicia mayinclude instructional outputs for operating the ATM as well as contentindicia which are representative of the portions of digital informationthat may be dispensed from the ATM for a fee. In some embodiments thecontent indicia may include listings of songs, movies, books or otherportions of the digital content which a user may select to havedelivered. Exemplary embodiments may also include graphicalrepresentations regarding the information, such as pictures of theartist or CD liner in the case of music files. Audio and/or visualoutputs may also be provided to identify, and in some cases enable theuser to sample the available information.

Exemplary ATM 10 also includes at least one input device 16 such as akeypad and selection buttons. The input device(s) enable the user toenter operation inputs such as a personal information number (PIN)corresponding to an account, an amount of cash to withdraw, or aselection of a particular digital sound recording or other type orportion of the available digital content to dispense. Although thisdescribed embodiment includes function keys and a keypad, alternativeembodiments may use other or additional types of input devices forentering information, such as a touch screen device, a speechrecognition system, a track ball or communication with a separate devicesuch as by RF communication with a cell phone, personal digitalassistant or handheld or portable drive.

The exemplary ATM 10 also includes a cash dispenser 24 and a card reader20. The card reader 20 is operative to read indicia corresponding toaccount information from a user's card. The card may be a bank card,credit card, debit card, gas card, merchant card, smart card, or othermedium that is operative to store account data and/or other informationwhich may be used to identify a user and/or their financial accounts. Inother embodiments the ATM may include a biometric type reading devicewhich may identify the user by a characteristic thereof. Such biometricreading devices may include for example a fingerprint reader, irisscanner, retina scanner, voice recognition device, hand scanner, facialrecognition reader and/or software or other device. The exemplary ATM 10is operative to dispense a selected amount of cash to the user from thecash dispenser 24, and to debit the account of the user throughcommunication with a financial transaction computer such as a hostbanking system. The exemplary ATM 10 is also operative to debit userfees from the account for dispensing digital information from the ATM aswell.

In alternative embodiments, the ATM may also include at least onecurrency accepting device 22. For users who do not wish to use anaccount to pay for the dispense of digital information, the ATM isoperative to receive the user fees in the form of cash such as billsand/or coin, using the currency accepting device 22.

In an exemplary embodiment, the digital information dispensed by the ATM10 includes digital sound recording files 44. Examples of digital soundrecording files include MP3 files, WAV files, SDMI files, and WindowsMedia files. Typically each file corresponds to an individual musicselection or song. However, sound files may correspond to any collectionof sounds of any type and length. Other examples of sound recordingfiles include compilations of songs such as are found on music CDs andspoken textual material corresponding to news articles, stories,speeches, investment advice, personal account information, educationalmaterials and books.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ATM 10 acquires sound files to dispensefrom at least one remote digital information source 32. The source 32may include a web site or FTP site on the Internet, or sources in otherpublic or private networks. The exemplary ATM 10 is operative toperiodically download a plurality of sound files that match certaincustomizable programmed criteria. The ATM may also downloadcorresponding graphics or video files associated with the sound files.These downloaded files may be stored locally at the ATM in a localcontent data store 13 such as a hard drive. The ATM 10 is operative todisplay or output graphical, textual and/or audio content indiciarepresentative of these sound files with the display device 14. A userof the ATM 10 may then provide one or more inputs to select and/ordispense one or more of these sound files.

The ATM may be programmably configured with different types ofdownloading criteria. For example, if the ATM is located in a danceclub, the downloading criteria may be configured to have the ATMperiodically download the sound files that correspond to the top 100most popular dance songs for the month. If the ATM is located in a bookstore, the ATM may be configured to periodically download sound filesrepresentative of the best-selling fiction and nonfiction books for themonth. If the ATM is located in a financial institution the sound filescould include helpful information about available financial productssuch as loans and investments. Of course, this is merely exemplary.

In exemplary embodiments if the data store 13 does not have alreadystored therein the sound file that a user desires, the exemplary ATM isfurther operative to have the user enter a selection input correspondingto the desired sound file such as a title or the name of an artist orgroup. The ATM is then operative in accordance with its programming toquery one or more remote content data stores for the requested soundfile(s). A message is returned to the ATM which is operative to causethe processor to generate a listing of matching sound files which isdisplayed on the display device 14 of the ATM 10. In a response to oneor more dispense inputs from the customer, and in some embodiments inexchange for a fee, the ATM 10 is then operative to download anddispense one or more of the matching sound files from an output device.

In some embodiments in which a network connection such as an Internetconnection is not available or is not always used, the ATM may beoperative to acquire digital content files from portable storage mediumssuch as DVDs, CDs or solid state memory. Such files may then be copiedor ripped from the storage media and saved locally to the data store 13in the machine.

The exemplary ATM may be operative to dispense digital information in aplurality of different ways depending on the type of digitalinformation. For example the ATM described in connection with FIG. 2further includes an output device 18 that includes a sound system 60.The sound system 60 includes a sound signal amplifier 40 with aplurality of speakers 42. The ATM 10 is operative to output though thesound system 60, analog or digital signals that correspond to selecteddigital sound recording files. The signal amplifier 40 is operative tooutput sound through the speakers 42 that corresponds to the sound filesignals. Such an ATM may then function as a fee-based digital musicplayer or jukebox. For restaurants, bars, and other facilities thatoffer music, the exemplary embodiment offers the ability to generateuser fees for both the dispensing of cash and the dispensing of audiblemusic.

In some embodiments an ATM may include the capability of outputtingdigital information in the form of both a visual representation of textcorresponding to music lyrics and the audio output concurrently. Thismay be done for purposes of using the ATM itself or the connectedequipment for purposes of karaoke or similar user entertainment. Instill other embodiments the ATM may be connected through a network toprovide visual and audio communication with one or more remotelocations. This might be done using the principles described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,583,813 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. For example in some embodiments a remoteentertainer such as a DJ or VJ may communicate with patrons in theestablishment to provide entertainment and coordinate patronparticipation in activities, coordinate karaoke, play requests, etc.Further in some embodiments the remote entertainer may communicate andcoordinate entertainment at multiple entertainment facilities from asingle location. In still other embodiments the entertainer may operateto control the communications so that patrons in one facility may viewand/or communicate with patrons in another facility. In this way theremote entertainer may facilitate games, contests or other activitiesbetween patrons in different facilities. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

For other forms of digital information that is visual, such as text,documents, images or video for example, the ATM may be operative tooutput such digital content either through the display device 14 of theATM 10 or through an output device 18 that includes a video system 62 ora printing system 64. A video system may include one or more monitors,TVs, speakers, LCD displays, or projection TV. Some embodiments mayinclude multiple output devices for outputting multiple forms of digitalinformation concurrently. A printing system 64 may include a monochromeor color printer capable of outputting documents and/or photo qualityprints of images or other graphics.

If multiple sound files or other forms of digital information have beenselected for output through the output device, exemplary embodiments maybe operative to sequentially output each song, video or other contenteither in the order the digital information was selected, or in otherorders, including alphabetical by title of song, artist, album, style,or in a random order.

Alternative embodiments may also dispense digital information such assound or video files, to other storage mediums. For example the ATM 10may include a storage device drive 26 such as a CD-R or CD-RW drive, aDVD read/write device or a USB port, which is operative to accept aportable storage medium 36 such as a write-once or rewriteable CD, a DVDor other portable memory device. For a fee the ATM may be programmed todispense the sound file by writing a copy of the sound or other file ona user supplied CD or other storage media or device. Alternatively, theATM may include a supply of blank CDs, DVDs or other media, and may copythe file onto the media and deliver it to the user. Examples of othertypes of storage device drives that may be used with some embodimentsmay include portable hard drive readers such as an Iomega Jaz® drive;magneto optical drives such as an Iomega Zip® drive; flash memory drivesfor writing to flash memory devices such as CompactFlash and Sony MemoryStick®; DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM drives, Mini-CD drives, thumb drivesand digital tape drives.

Alternative embodiments may dispense digital information such asgraphics, text, image, sound or video files, through an output devicewhich includes a communication port 18 directly to a portable computingdevice. Examples of suitable communication ports 18 include a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) port, a serial RS-232 port, parallel port, an infrared(IR) port, a radio frequency (RF) port such as Bluetooth, an IEEE-1394port, or a network port such as a wired or wireless Ethernet connection.When a portable computing device such as an iPod, Zune or Diamond Rio isconnected to the port 18, the ATM may be operative for a fee to downloaddigital content files to the device. Examples of other types of portablecomputing devices that may receive dispensed digital information such assound, video or other content files include a portable computer such asa notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a mobilephone, such as a cell phone (Apple iPhone, for example).

Alternative embodiments may be operative to dispense digital informationto a user through the Internet by e-mail or FTP for example. In suchembodiments the user may select the information through inputs to theATM 10. The ATM would prompt the user to input through at least oneinput device at least one input or selection corresponding to an e-mail,FTP or other network delivery address. The ATM would then be operativethrough an output device such as a suitable network interface, to e-mailor FTP the selected digital information to the user, rather thandispensing the digital information through output devices, to a portablestorage medium or to a computing device adjacent the ATM. Alternativelythe ATM may send one or more messages through one or more networks to aremote computer, which messages cause the remote computer to send theselected digital content to the network address. For example someembodiments may operate using the principles disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/193,624 filed Nov. 17, 1998 the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In exemplary embodiments, the ATM user may operate the ATM to causedigital information to be sent to a selected network address associatedwith a computing device utilized by the user. In some embodiments thiscould include for example an ATM user's PC, cell phone or other deviceor system associated with the user. In some embodiments the networkaddress for the delivery of digital information may be input by the userto the ATM, such as through manual inputs or by communication with aportable computing device which has address data stored therein.Alternatively, the network delivery address may be linked in one or moredata stores of computers in connection with the ATM, with informationthat can be read from a user's card, such as a user name or accountnumber. In some embodiments users can have selected digital informationcorresponding to music, movies and other content sent to their home PC,cell phone, or to another address from which the digital information canbe selectively retrieved or output, such as a storage location on alocal or distributed system. This could include a designated storageaddress for the user with a phone service or cable television provider.Alternatively the network address may correspond to the network addressassociated with a user's portable computing device such as a PDA or cellphone. Thus for example content such as account status information,receipts for transactions conducted by the user at the ATM (orelsewhere), copies of cancelled checks, documentation related to loans,investments, annual reports, 1099-INT forms, or other data or recordsrelated to transactions may be available on the user's computing device.In addition in some alternative embodiments the digital content mayinclude discount coupons, gift certificates, tickets, access codes orother items a user may use to access, obtain or receive benefits relatedto goods or services. For example the access codes may be used to accessa facility such as a private nightclub, entertainment venue,merchandising facility, transportation facility or other area of abuilding or area. Access codes in other embodiments may be used tooperate a machine such as a gaming machine, exercise machine, vehicle orother type machine. In still some other embodiments the digitalinformation may be in a format from which it can be printed by a userfrom a printer attached to their computing device. In other embodimentsthe digital information may be transferred electronically by the userfrom their computing device to a third party. This might include forexample, digital coupons, access codes, or tickets that are transferredfrom a portable phone via RF, IR or other communications method to amerchant system for redemption. Of course, these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view representative of accounts that areaccessed by the exemplary ATM 10 for distributing user fees. Because theexemplary ATM 10 is in operative connection with a host banking system,ATM 10 is enabled to deduct a user fee from an account of the user inexchange for the dispense of digital information. The exemplaryembodiment of the ATM 10 operates by reading an account number from acard inserted by a user into the card reader 20. The account numberincludes data representative of the institution where the user's accountis held. Examples of cards that are operative for use with someembodiments include credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, merchantcards, smart cards, or any other portable medium that can store accountor user information and/or data representative of stored value. Theexemplary ATM 10 is operative to communicate with a financialtransaction computer which includes or which can communicate with, ahost banking system which can validate a user inputted PIN and authorizea transaction requested by the user at the ATM. If the PIN is valid andthe transaction authorized, the message(s) sent by ATM 10 is furtheroperative to cause the host banking system to debit user fees from theuser's account corresponding to the requested dispense of cash and/orthe requested dispense of digital information. Transaction fees or othercharges for the convenience of using the machine or system may also becharged to the user's account. Alternatively as previously discussed,embodiments may identify users by biometric information. The biometricdata from the user may then be used by a local or remote computer toidentify the user and/or their associated account information.

The dispensing of most digital information is limited by the copyrightowner. Typically the copyright owner requires a fee or royalty to copy,display, publicly perform or otherwise deliver the work. The amount ofthe fee may vary depending on how the work is authorized to be used. Forexample if the work is a sound recording, the fee to play the sound fileone time in a restaurant may be much less than the fee to dispense thesound file to a portable storage medium which may be duplicated anunlimited number of times. Consequently, an exemplary embodiment isoperative to track how digital information is dispensed and to transfercorresponding licensing fees to a licensing entity, a digitalinformation source and/or other entities authorized to receive payment.Likewise stored information concerning the nature, location, size,contract status or other information concerning the establishment inwhich the particular ATM is located may be used to determine the fee.For example the fee to play a music file in a small restaurant may beless than in a large dance club. Similar principles may be applied tocharging for other types of audio files, documents, images, videos,audiovisual files, individualized investment or other financial adviceand pay-per-view type events.

The exemplary ATM 10 may be operative to debit a user fee from theuser's account 50 for each dispense of digital information. The userfees may be transferred to a common banking account 54 of the operatorof the ATM 10. Transfers of user fees may occur either immediately witheach dispense and/or may occur periodically with the ATM 10 transferringdata concerning multiple charges made to credit cards of various usersto a financial transaction computer, such as a settlement host forexample, which is operative to credit and debit accounts of theappropriate entities.

Licensing fees for downloading digital information from a digitalinformation source may be transferred in a similar manner. The ATM 10may generate messages or may include data in messages operative to causea financial transaction computer to transfer a licensing fee from theaccount 54 that corresponds to the operator of the ATM 10, to an accountof the digital information source 32. Such a transfer may be performedthrough the host banking system or through another transaction switch orthrough interaction of one or more financial transaction computers. Suchtransfers may occur with each download or may occur periodically for abatch of downloads which have occurred during a prior time period.

In an alternative embodiment, the ATM 10 is configured with inputs whichinclude a terminal identifying UserID and a password for use whenconnecting through one or more networks to the digital informationsource 32. The UserID and password enable the ATM 10 to access thedigital information source 32 and to download digital information. Thedigital information source 32 monitors all downloads that correspond tothe UserID and periodically charges the account 54 that corresponds tothe operator of the ATM. Alternatively for some types of digitalinformation, the charge may be assessed against an account of theestablishment where the ATM is located or an account of the operator ofthe establishment. This may be appropriate in cases where the useassociated with the digital information, as indicated by the transactionmessages received from the ATM and/or based on stored data, is a publicdisplay or performance of the work in the establishment. Of course thisapproach is exemplary and other approaches may be used.

Once digital information has been downloaded to the data store 13 of theATM 10, the copyright owner of the digital information may require thata licensing fee be paid with each dispense of the digital information toa user or upon each public display or performance. The ATM 10 or otherconnected computer is operative to keep records of each dispense ofdigital content and the character of dispense that is made. Theexemplary ATM is further operative to transfer licensing fees associatedwith each dispense to an account of the digital information source 32 oranother licensing entity 52 through the financial transaction computer.This transfer may be done with each dispense or periodically for a batchof dispenses.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the ATM 10 may be operative totransfer dispense records to the digital information source or thelicensing entity through the Internet or other network. The digitalinformation source 32 or licensing entity 52 may then debit or chargethe licensing fees from an account that corresponds to the user, theoperator of the ATM, the operator of the establishment or otherappropriate entity.

For digital information that includes copy protection features or othertechnological measure to limit reproduction, access or use of thecopyrighted work, the ATM 10 may be further operative to configure orincorporate the protection features and charge a user fee thatcorresponds to the copy or other protection features which are included.For example ATM 10 may be enabled to have the user select licensingfeatures of a song file such as unlimited or restricted duplication,expiration dates, or other features of the sound file that affect thereproduction or use of the sound file. For example, the protectionfeatures used in some embodiments may restrict reproduction of thedigital content so that it may only be played in the portable computingdevice to which it is initially delivered. Other features may restrictreproduction by preventing the digital content from being transferredfrom or otherwise reproduced in digital form from the media or device onwhich it is initially delivered. Other features may restrictreproduction by limiting the use of the digital content to a particulartime period or to a particular number of plays. Of course additional oralternative approaches may be used depending on the system and thedigital content involved. The ATM 10 may be operative to charge the usera corresponding user fee based on the type of protection featuresselected. The ATM may also be operative to cause the correspondinglicensing or other fee to be paid to the source of the digitalinformation or a licensing entity.

Alternative embodiments may be used in connection with systems whichinclude stored information concerning particular users. Such systems maybe used to correlate the identity of the user with marketing or customerpreference data. Such information may include particular categories ofmusic, videos, books or other materials or products that can be providedand/or that are of interest to the particular user. The ATM may operateto automatically give the user options for selections tailored to theirassociated preference information. Alternatively such information may beused to automatically provide the user with digital files, visual oraudio outputs or other outputs whenever the user operates an ATMconnected to the system. For example when the ATM is operated as ajukebox, the ATM may operate to automatically display indiciacorresponding to favorite artists or songs, or to output one or more ofthe user's favorite songs.

In certain embodiments it may not be desirable for a user to accesstheir financial account each time a relatively small charge for digitalinformation is assessed to the user. In such systems the system may beconfigured so that the user is required to make a “minimum purchase.”This amount may be a charge reasonably sufficient to offset the costs ofaccessing the account, for example $10 or $20. This amount would then becredited to a content prepay account associated with the user. A prepayaccount record indicating a credit associated with the user or theiraccount would then be stored in one or more data stores. This creditinformation may be stored locally on a smart card or other item, at theATM or remotely in a computer such as a financial transaction computerwhich can be accessed from the ATM. For example in some embodiments theamount may be credited to a licensing or other organization.Alternatively, a financial transaction computer may debit the prepayaccount of the user as it is used and route payments to the appropriateentities. The amount of value associated with the prepay account maythen be reduced each time the user receives a delivery of digitalcontent until the account is exhausted. Such a system may beadvantageously used where the fees involved in each digital filetransaction are small, such as the cost or playing sound files. Such asystem also provides the system operator, licensing entity, or otherentity the benefit of the “float” on the allocated funds.

To discourage or limit the unauthorized reproduction of digitalinformation that may be dispensed, exemplary embodiments may beoperatively programmed to modify features of the digital informationbefore it is delivered for reproduction on a portable medium andcomputing device. For example with digital sound files, the processor inthe ATM comprises a reproduction device that may embed a digital code orcertificate in the sound file that is reproduced on the user's portabledigital sound player or other personal computing device. Such acertificate may further include an encrypted digital signature that canbe used to detect unauthorized alterations of the file.

The portable sound player would only be operative to play the sound fileif the digital certificate corresponds to a unique code or certificateassociated with the portable sound player. Also the portable soundplayer would only be operative to play the sound file if the digitalsignature indicates that the sound file is authentic. Such featureswould limit playback of the file to the user's personal sound player.The sound file would be inoperative on another personal sound playingdevice that is associated with a different certificate or code. Ofcourse the same principles may be used with files that are downloaded tothe ATM itself for storage in the local data store, when the files areonly to be played through use of the ATM and not transferred to otherdevices. Of course the use of such principles with digital informationcomprising sound files is exemplary and such principles may also beapplied to other types of digital information and the computing devicesto which they are delivered.

In alternative embodiments the ATM may be operatively programmed to havethe user register with a licensing entity for the digital content priorto dispensing digital content for the first time. During theregistration process the user would be associated with a unique licensecode that may also be used when purchasing digital content in thefuture. The ATM may then be operative to embed the license code in eachfile that is dispensed for the user. The next time the user wishes topurchase digital information, the ATM may then be operatively programmedto accept the input of the license code from the user.

For example the license code may be manually input with the input device16, read from a card with the card reader device 24, downloaded from theuser's portable computing device 38, retrieved from another sourceand/or correlated with other data concerning the user. The ATM wouldthen be operative to validate the license code by communicating with thelicensing entity. If the license code is valid and/or is in goodstanding, the ATM would be operative to dispense additional digitalinformation with the embedded license code of the user. Such a uniquelicense code may be generated by the licensing organization, or maycorrespond to the previously described digital code or certificateassociated with the user's computing device.

These described methods of copy and/or use protection of the dispenseddigital information may be further associated with a subscriptionservice or club. For example during the previously describedregistration process the ATM may prompt the user to sign up for adigital information service that for a monthly fee enables the user todispense a certain amount and/or type of digital information. Forexample the service may correspond to the dispensing of music files ordigital book text files. Each month the user would be entitled todispense a certain amount of these files from the ATM for a discountclub rate fee or for no additional fee per dispense transaction.

When the user first signs up for the service, the ATM may be furtheroperative to enable the user to associate payment of the service or clubfees to an account of the user for automatic debit of the monthly clubdues or dispense fees from the user's account. Such automatic paymentinformation may be acquired by reading account information from a user'scredit card or banking card with the card reader device 20 of the ATM.

An alternative exemplary embodiment may be used to retrieve digitalinformation previously associated with a user from a processor of thedigital information. For example the exemplary ATM may be in operativeconnection with a photographic film processor. The user may for exampleinput with an input device 16 of the ATM a processing number, code orother identification value associated with photographic film beingdeveloped and digitally scanned by the film processor. The exemplary ATMis operative to download digital images of the user's developed filmfrom the processor as image files which correspond to the inputtedprocessing number. The ATM is further operative to display the imagesand enable the user to select one or more of the images for printing tothe printing system 64. The ATM may further enable the user to dispensethe images to a physical medium and/or portable computing device of theuser as previously described.

Exemplary embodiments of this described embodiment of the ATM mayfurther enable the user to crop, zoom, and/or perform other imagingprocessing manipulations on the images prior to printing or dispensing.The exemplary ATM may be operative to charge fees to an account of auser or accept cash from the user for the services of printing and/ordispensing the images. A portion of the fees may further be transferredby the ATM to the film processor.

In a further alternative exemplary embodiment, the ATM may accept theupload of digital images or other digital content from a portablestorage medium, digital camera, or other device of the user. Theexemplary ATM may then enable the user to selectively print, for a fee,individual images or other uploaded digital content with the printingsystem of the ATM.

Embodiments may also include features described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,469,823; 7,416,112; 7,416,779; and/or 7,424,972 the disclosures ofeach of which are incorporated herein by references in their entirety.

The processor in ATM 10 operates to perform processes described hereinresponsive to software stored in one or more data stores, such as datastore 13. The software stored in data store 13 is loaded therein fromone or more forms of programming media. Such programming media mayinclude any article comprising media from which computer executableinstructions can be copied such as one or more CDs, DVDs, diskettes,hard drives, tapes, flash memory, solid state memory or other items.

The exemplary embodiments may find applicability to numerous types ofsituations and may be used to facilitate the tracking of transactions inthe entertainment, education, gaming, investment, merchandising andbanking industries.

Thus the system and method for dispensing digital information of theexemplary embodiments achieve at least one of the above statedobjectives, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of priordevices and systems, solve problems and attain the desirable resultsdescribed herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function will be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art to be capable of performing the recited function, andwill not be limited to the structures shown herein or mere equivalentsthereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

1. Apparatus comprising: at least one computer associated with anautomated banking machine of a banking system, wherein the machineincludes at least one data reader and at least one user input device,wherein the at least one computer is operable to cause the at least onedata reader to read user data usable to identify a financial accountassociated with a user of the machine, wherein the at least one computeris operable responsive at least in part to at least one user selectioninput to the at least one user input device, to receive user selectionof a purchasable digital content file which comprises either an audiofile including at least one of music or a speaking voice, or anaudiovisual file including at least one of a movie or a video, whereinthe at least one computer is operable responsive at least in part to theuser selection received, to cause user payment for the digital contentfile to be associated with the financial account, wherein the at leastone computer is operable responsive at least in part to the userselection received, to cause the digital content file to be sent to anetwork address of a personal device of the user, wherein the personaldevice comprises either a mobile phone or a PC.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the personal device comprises the mobilephone.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the digital contentfile comprises the audio file.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2wherein the digital content file comprises the audiovisual file.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the personal device comprises thePC.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the digital contentfile comprises the audio file.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5wherein the digital content file comprises the audiovisual file.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 5 wherein the PC comprises a home PC. 9.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the machine includes awireless output port, wherein the at least one computer is also operableresponsive at least in part to user selection received, to cause thedigital content file to be output through the wireless output port in amanner that enables the portable personal device to wirelessly receivethe digital content file only while the portable personal device islocated adjacent the machine.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9wherein the portable personal device comprises the mobile phone.
 11. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one computer isoperable to cause a value associated with the digital content file to betransferred from the financial account to an account associated with aprovider of the digital content file.
 12. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the machine includes a cash dispenser in operativeconnection with the at least one computer, wherein the at least onecomputer is operable to cause cash to be dispensed from the machinethrough operation of the cash dispenser.
 13. Apparatus comprising: atleast one computer associated with an automated banking machine of abanking system, wherein the machine includes at least one data reader,at least one user input device, and a wireless output port, wherein theat least one computer is operable to cause the at least one data readerto read user data usable to identify a financial account associated witha user of the machine, wherein the at least one computer is operableresponsive at least in part to at least one user selection input to theat least one user input device, to receive user selection of apurchasable user access to at least one of an event and a facility,wherein the at least one computer is operable responsive at least inpart to the user selection received, to cause user payment for the useraccess to be associated with the financial account, wherein the at leastone computer is operable responsive at least in part to the userselection received, to cause a digital access code corresponding to theuser access to be output through the wireless output port in a mannerthat enables the user to wirelessly receive the digital access code intoa portable personal device located adjacent the machine, wherein thedigital access code allows the user access to the at least one of theevent and the facility.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 whereinthe portable personal device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the atleast one computer is operable to cause the digital access code to beoutput in a manner that enables the mobile phone to wirelessly receivethe digital access code.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14 whereinthe digital access code comprises a digital ticket.
 16. The apparatusaccording to claim 15 wherein the at least one computer is operable tocause the digital access code to be output in a manner that enables themobile phone to subsequently electronically transfer at least a portionof the received digital ticket.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 13wherein the at least one computer is operable to cause a valueassociated with the digital access code to be transferred from thefinancial account to an account associated with a provider of thedigital access code.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein theat least one computer is also operable responsive at least in part touser selection received, to cause the digital access code to be sent toa network address of a personal device of the user, wherein the personaldevice comprises either a mobile phone or a PC.
 19. A method comprising:(a) operating at least one computer associated with an automated bankingmachine including at least one reader, to cause the machine during atransaction involving a machine user associated with a mobile phone, toread user data usable to identify a financial account of the user; (b)subsequent to (a), operating the at least one computer during thetransaction to cause the machine to receive through at least one userinput device of the machine, user selection of purchasable digital dataof monetary value; (c) subsequent to (b), operating the at least onecomputer during the transaction to cause user payment for the userselection in (b), to be associated with the financial account; and (d)subsequent to (b), operating the at least one computer to cause thedigital data to be wirelessly communicated to the mobile phone.
 20. Themethod according to claim 19 wherein the machine includes a wirelessoutput port, wherein in (d) the at least one computer causes the digitaldata to be output through the wireless output port in a manner thatenables the mobile phone to receive the digital data only while themobile phone is located adjacent the machine.